Primary Department: Sheriff
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Ed Gonzalez, Sheriff
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Application
Project ID (if applicable):
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): The Federal Emergency Management Agency
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Commissioners Court Office
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Sheriff’s Office for approval to provide the required match in the amount of $407,215, for the FY25 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP).
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Background and Discussion:
The PSGP is focused on enhancing security of Maritime Facilities within U.S. navigable waterways. Funding is prioritized towards terrorism prevention, response, recovery, and mitigation based on port area risk through implementation of Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans and facility security plans among port authorities, facility operators, and state and local government agencies required to provide port security services and to train public safety personnel.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has submitted applications to the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) for several years, traditionally requesting the required 25% match from the Houston Ship Channel Security District (HSCSD). Following the release of the FY25 PSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in August, the HCSO presented its proposed projects to the HSCSD, which approved a $60,075 match—supporting up to $240,300 in project costs. However, due to multiple competing requests from other agencies, the HSCSD denied the remaining match request of $407,000, resulting in a lower approved amount than in prior years. As a result, the HCSO is now seeking additional funding to cover the remaining required match.
Expected Impact:
By applying for the FY25 Port Security Grant Program to acquire a dive boat, a robotic dog, and avionic upgrades, the HCSO aims to significantly enhance maritime security and emergency response capabilities. The dive boat will improve the agency’s ability to conduct underwater inspections and rescue operations, while the robotic dog will provide advanced remote reconnaissance in hazardous environments, minimizing risk to personnel. Additionally, the avionic upgrades will increase the efficiency and safety of aerial surveillance and response missions.
Together, these assets will strengthen the HCSO’s overall preparedness, enable faster and more effective incident management, and contribute to safeguarding critical port infrastructure and the surrounding community. Providing additional funding, in the amount of $407,215, to meet the required 25% match is a valuable investment for the agency, as it allows the county to receive three times (75%) that amount in federal funding, significantly increasing our overall project resources.
Alternative Options:
Not identifying funding for the 25% match for this grant would cause the Sheriff’s Office to forfeit the opportunity to receive $1,221,647 in federal funding.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: A: Reduce violent crime across the County.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Location:
Address (if applicable): Countywide
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
FY25 Port Security Grant Program – Special Enforcement Bureau |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Total Existing Budget |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
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Total Funding Sources |
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Grants – Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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No. of Grant Years |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget:
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3 |
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request:
1000 - General Fund |
$ |
$ 407,215 |
$407,215 |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
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Additional Positions Request |
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Total Personnel |
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Anticipated Court Date: 9/18/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Jacqueline Hernandez, Grant Analyst, Sheriff’s Office
Attachments (if applicable): Fiscal Review Request Form, FY25 HCSO Project descriptions, HCSO COC support letter